Vermont State Police granted a young boy his wish in a big way. Bennett Stenger’s one wish, when asked by Make-A-Wish Foundation, was to ride along with a Vermont State Police Officer. Bennett has rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a type of cancer that develops in

Vermont State Police granted a young boy his wish in a big way. Bennett Stenger’s one wish, when asked by Make-A-Wish Foundation, was to ride along with a Vermont State Police Officer.

Bennett has rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a type of cancer that develops in the body’s soft tissues and can spread affecting other areas of the body.

When VSP commanders learned of the boy’s wish, they did so much more than just a ride along. He and his brother, Chase, were made honorary troopers for an entire day. They received uniforms and rode in a cruiser, but it didn’t end there. The boys also got to see the bomb squad in motion when they blew up pumpkins as a demo and got to control the bomb squad robots. The Tactical Services Unit was a part of the special day as well. They got to see a deployment.

The troopers said they were thrilled to give Bennett, along with his family, a special day away from cancer and hopes he can bust cancer for good.

Vermont K-9 Xander Caught in the Act

K-9 Xander of the Vermont State Police was busted! But, it was in a good way. He decided to extend his expertise to dispatching. We think Xander would make a great dispatcher if only he could speak as a human, not just as a dog. Sorry Xander! But, you are positively applauded for your efforts.

Vermont State Police put his picture on Facebook and asked followers to caption it. Our favorite caption was, by Bonita Compton Harmel, “Ohhhh shucks....... What was that code for crazy cat on the loose???”

2016 Best Looking Cruiser Wall Calendar

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W. Virginia State Troopers Make Special Deliveries

As a state trooper you never know what your day may bring, but Monday, Oct. 5, 2015, a call in to make a special delivery that brought smiles and joy to everyone involved. West Virginia State Troopers gave stuffed animal bears to children fighting battles against cancer at Women and Children’s Hospital. The bears were provided by Bikers Against Child Abuse.

"When you get a chance to give back and really be involved and meet the kids that we get to serve, it's truly an honor," said Evan Osborn, development director.

Ellie Washington was one of the children that received a stuffed bear from the troopers. Less than 2 years old, Ellie was diagnosed with cancer in her ear.

"One minute your child is perfectly healthy and then the next minute, your world is all about cancer. I mean, all we do is chemo, and making sure everything's clean and keeping everybody well. I mean, your world completely changes. She's worth every minute of it," says her mother, Jessica. With help from the Ronald McDonald House, she is able to receive treatment in New York.

"You come down here and try to be a blessing and you end up receiving the blessing. So wonderful to see these kids and see a smile on their face because you know they're going through some difficult times," says Lt. Michael Baylous.

The small act of kindness goes along with what the Ronald McDonald House aims to do. Building love, and bridging hearts, as a bright new future for them begins.

The third annual McTrooper 5K is Saturday, Oct. 10, at 9 a.m. and begins at the Frontier Communications Building on MacCorkle Avenue in Kanawha City. All registration information can be found at Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Maryland State trooper's vehicle was struck while attempting to strop impaired driver

Dillon C. Haneke, 23, of Edgewater, is accused of driving his car into the side of the trooper’s car. Lee was attempting to stop Haneke on the suspicion of impaired driving.

Multiple calls from concerned citizens reported a possible impaired driver, stating the driver was weaving through the lanes and driving very slow. Tpr. Lee spotted the reported vehicle and observed it weaving across lanes and driving about 10 mph.

The trooper activated his emergency lights and attempted to stop the car, but Haneke refused to acknowledge. Lee then drove to the right side of the vehicle, lowered his window and verbally ordered Haneke to stop, with his emergency lights still activated on his marked police car.

The trooper drove ahead of the weaving vehicle, at which timeHaneke struck the driver's side of the trooper's car. While still in contact with the trooper's car, Haneke's car struck the jersey wall and turned onto its side before the Bay Bridge.

The patrol car did not overturn, but Tpr. Lee was trapped inside the car. Unharmed, he was able to make his way out. Thankfully, no other vehicles were involved. Lee was transported to the Anne Arundel Medical Center by another trooper as a precaution and after examination he was released.

Haneke was not injured. He was arrested and charged withdriving under the influence, assault and reckless endangerment after other troopers on the scene observed multiple signs of impairment. A male passenger in Haneke's car, who was also impaired, was taken to the Anne Arundel County Medical Center by ambulance. Haneke was taken to the Anne Arundel County Central Booking Center for his initial appearance before a court commissioner Sunday night.

The New Orleans Saints saw a boy and a family who were dealing with a devastating situation, and they found a way to help

Hats off to the New Orleans Saints! Ethan, the son of slain Louisiana State Police Senior Trooper Vincent, was invited to New Orleans' Sunday Night Football matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Not only did he get to attend the game, but got the chance to hang out with Sean Payton, Drew Brees, Rob Ryan, Tony Romo and Willie Robertson from Duck Dynasty. Courtesy of Fox Sports. Photos courtesy of Louisiana State Police.

Fundraiser Scheduled for Family of Vermont State Trooper Kyle Young

A fundraiser is being held in St. Albans later this month to help the family of a Vermont trooper who died while trying out for a special unit.

Trooper Kyle Young died from exertional heat stroke while trying out for the Vermont State Police Tactical Services Team in September, according to authorities. Trooper Young left behind his family, including two young daughters. Young's children will have to grow up without him.

Trooper Mike Mattuchio said he never got the pleasure to work alongside Trooper Young, but nevertheless Vermont State Police lost a brother. "We're a close knit family whether we know each other or not, so it touched home regardless," said Mattuchio.

Vermont State Police and the 14th Star Brewery are hosting a 5k run, and flag football tournament at the Collins Perley Sports Complex on October 24. To sign up for this event or to learn more, Click here.

Proceeds from registrations and beer sales will be given to the Young family. The flag football team that raises the most money will be able to make their own brew. That batch will go to the taproom and sales from it for go to Young's family. Police and the brewery hope to raise $10,000 dollars for the family.

Massachusetts State Police and Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers injured while pulled over on the side of the highway

MSP - Massachusetts State Trooper was taken to the hospital with serious injuries after being stuck from behind by a tractor-trailer. He was released the next morning, but requires follow-up care. The trooper was working a detail protecting a road crew with his emergency lights activated.

The Ford Expedition cruiser was severely damaged, the rear end crushed by the force of impact, from the tractor-trailer. When hit the SUV was pushed from the right lane across three lanes striking guardrail. The tractor-trailer was also suffered severe damage and both vehicles were towed from the site.

The offending driver is facing charges of failing to move over for an emergency vehicle and road crew.

THP – Tennessee Highway Patrol was on the scene with Knox County Sheriff’s Office investigating and unrelated crash when a drunken driver, operating a Chevy Impala, hit one of the KCSO vehicles. The KCSO vehicle spun into the THP cruiser. The cruiser then struck two deputies standing by a guard rail. The Impala, before coming to a stop facing the wrong direction, struck a third deputy. Trooper Michael Harrell was inside his cruiser when hit. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries. The driver is charged with DUI and multiple other charges.

State Trooper feeds homeless man, kindness captured

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Lance Schroyer was giving a woman at ride whom he found walking barefoot along the interstate when he came upon a vehicle that was severely damaged after crashing into the median.

The crash scene was hard to see and there were no lights available to warn of the impending danger for oncoming vehicles. Thankfully, drivers were able to swerve and not cause additional accidents.

The car’s front end, back end and both sides were crushed. The trooper blocked off traffic with his vehicle and told the woman in his vehicle to stay there as he went over to assess the situation. He thought the car may have been a case of a drunken driver who may have left the scene. However, as he approached the accident site, Schroyer heard a woman begging for help.

“I just happened upon this,” Schroyer recalled later.

The woman was face down with her head pinned between the end of the dashboard and the passenger door. Her body spread across the inside of the vehicle. It appeared, she hadn’t been wearing a seat belt. Schroyer tried to talk to the woman, who sounded like she was choking. There was blood everywhere.

After calling for firefighters and paramedics, Schroyer got into the back seat of the car to try to keep her calm. With broken glass and wreckage strewn about and the woman pinned, Schroyer made a decision to move the woman for fear of the woman not living through the accident. He then moved the two-front seats backward and was able to get close enough to move her. “You never really want to move somebody in that situation, but at the same time, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to save lives,” he said.

It looked like her head had hit the passenger’s side with so much force that the door had dislodged slightly. Lt. Schroyer was able to maneuver the door open and held her head trying to move her as little as possible to allow for better breathing. At one point, the woman was not responsive, and he feared the worst.

Another trooper arrived, and both were able to get her into an upright position. The troopers stayed with her and did as much as possible to keep the woman calm until paramedics arrived on the scene. She was taken to the hospital.

After returning to the office, Schroyer was called out to another traffic accident where two vehicles had crashed into one another. All four people involved were taken to the hospital, one in critical condition. He then went to the hospital to further his investigation into the accident. While there he checked on the woman whom he had helped earlier that evening. Lt. Schroyer was told that if not for him, she most likely would have succumbed to her injuries.

The woman’s husband was with her, and he was told she would be OK and that her vehicle accident was most likely caused by a medical condition.

“It was just kind of fate that I was there,” he said.

Oklahoma trooper happens upon accident and saves woman's life

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Lance Schroyer was giving a woman at ride whom he found walking barefoot along the interstate when he came upon a vehicle that was severely damaged after crashing into the median.

The crash scene was hard to see and there were no lights available to warn of the impending danger for oncoming vehicles. Thankfully, drivers were able to swerve and not cause additional accidents.

The car’s front end, back end and both sides were crushed. The trooper blocked off traffic with his vehicle and told the woman in his vehicle to stay there as he went over to assess the situation. He thought the car may have been a case of a drunken driver who may have left the scene. However, as he approached the accident site, Schroyer heard a woman begging for help.

“I just happened upon this,” Schroyer recalled later.

The woman was face down with her head pinned between the end of the dashboard and the passenger door. Her body spread across the inside of the vehicle. It appeared, she hadn’t been wearing a seat belt. Schroyer tried to talk to the woman, who sounded like she was choking. There was blood everywhere.

After calling for firefighters and paramedics, Schroyer got into the back seat of the car to try to keep her calm. With broken glass and wreckage strewn about and the woman pinned, Schroyer made a decision to move the woman for fear of the woman not living through the accident. He then moved the two-front seats backward and was able to get close enough to move her. “You never really want to move somebody in that situation, but at the same time, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to save lives,” he said.

It looked like her head had hit the passenger’s side with so much force that the door had dislodged slightly. Lt. Schroyer was able to maneuver the door open and held her head trying to move her as little as possible to allow for better breathing. At one point, the woman was not responsive, and he feared the worst.

Another trooper arrived, and both were able to get her into an upright position. The troopers stayed with her and did as much as possible to keep the woman calm until paramedics arrived on the scene. She was taken to the hospital.

After returning to the office, Schroyer was called out to another traffic accident where two vehicles had crashed into one another. All four people involved were taken to the hospital, one in critical condition. He then went to the hospital to further his investigation into the accident. While there he checked on the woman whom he had helped earlier that evening. Lt. Schroyer was told that if not for him, she most likely would have succumbed to her injuries.

The woman’s husband was with her, and he was told she would be OK and that her vehicle accident was most likely caused by a medical condition.

“It was just kind of fate that I was there,” he said.

The Best Looking Trooper Cruisers 2016 Calendar is available for pre-order!

The Best Looking Trooper Cruisers 2016 Calendar is available for pre-order!

Congratulations to West Virginia State Police, winner of the 2015 Best Looking Cruiser Contest!

A Massachusetts State Trooper was recognized Tuesday at the Statehouse for his actions during a dangerous daytime shooting incident on Brockton in March 2014.

Trooper Shaun P. Bellao was among 12 police officers from six departments honored by Gov. Charlie Baker. The dozen officers received Hanna Awards for exemplary acts of bravery while carrying out their duties in the last years. “The officers we honor today responded at a moment’s notice and put everything on the line in order to keep the public safe from danger,” said Gov. Baker, who presented the awards in the Massachusetts House Chamber.

“They are a testament to the level of excellence we expect from law enforcement and their actions show what all officers stand ready to do if the situation demands it.” The George L. Hanna Awards for Bravery are named in memory of State Trooper George L. Hanna, who was shot and killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop in Auburn February 26, 1983.

The Medal of Valor Trooper Bellao received is the second highest Hanna award and is awarded to officers who demonstrate actions above and beyond the call of duty, disregarding the potential for danger to themselves.

According to a State Police summary of the events, Thursday afternoon, March 20, 2014, Trooper Bellao was participating in a joint operation with members of the Brockton Police and two other State Troopers. The troopers heard two gunshots and observed two males, who were later identified as the shooting victims, running away. The troopers immediately drove toward the origin of the shots fired. As they approached the area, they heard two additional gunshots. Two other males were seen running up the street, one who had a silver handgun in his right hand. The troopers drove toward the two males, who continued to run. When the two suspects, one still clearly displaying the firearm, began to run in the opposite direction, the troopers immediately stopped, exited their vehicle and identified themselves. When the suspects did not stop, the troopers began to chase them.

As the suspects approached a backyard, they split up and one suspect was immediately apprehended while Trooper Bellao continued to chase the second, armed suspect, according to the summary. The suspect climbed over a chain-link fence and, as he landed, he swung the firearm around and pointed the handgun directly at Trooper Bellao who, continued to pursue the suspect. The suspect then ran into a fenced backyard and attempted to climb a fence when Trooper Bellao caught him. After a physical struggle, Trooper Bellao was able to wrestle the handgun from the suspect and place him into custody.

The area was immediately secured as a crime scene and the troopers were able to locate the two victims being shot at by the suspects. The semi-automatic handgun recovered at the scene was cocked with one round in the chamber and three additional rounds in the magazine. Following the shooting, then-Brockton Police Chief Robert Hayden voiced praise for the troopers and officers who responded to the scene. “They run toward trouble, not away from it,” Hayden said. “They did a fantastic job. It was like clockwork.”

Speeder Takes Selfie With Trooper

As he passed the trooper and the ominous flashing lights turned on, Greg Barnes pulled over, "Immediately I knew I was in the wrong.” After being handed a warning from the Indiana trooper, Barnes asked to take a selfie with Tpr. Cosgrove to send a message.

2015 Trooper of The Year

Oregon State Trooper named 2017 Trooper of the Year

Nic Cederburg & John Bagnardi

Senior Trooper Nic Cederberg, a 7-year veteran of the Oregon State Police, was named the American Association of State Troopers 2017 Trooper of the Year for his heroic efforts to stop a murderer from taking more lives.

On December 25, 2016, at approximately 10:30 p.m., a male suspect met his estranged wife, Kate Armand, at his mother's residence in King City, OR to exchange their eleven month old daughter for visitation. After carrying their daughter into his mother's house, the suspect returned to Kate's vehicle and shot her eight times, killing her as she attempted to escape.

Trooper Cederberg was taking a Christmas evening break with his family at his residence. He monitored the ATL on the suspect’s movements and having grown up in the area he knew the suspect would have to go one of two directions to avoid police detection. As Trooper Cederberg patrolled towards King City he found the suspect’s car backed into a driveway. Trooper Cederberg was in an unmarked patrol car, the suspect drove off and a pursuit ensued. During the chase the suspect shot at Trooper Cederberg’s vehicle repeatedly. While under fire, Trooper Cederberg continuously radioed position update to other responding officers in an effort to expedite their response.

The suspect eventually turned down a dead end road. Trooper Cederberg stopped his patrol car short of the end of the road to set up for the suspect’s return. He watched as the suspect did a U-turn and accelerated toward him, and although responding officers were still several minutes away, Trooper Cederberg knew the suspect needed to be stopped. It was clear the suspect intended to ram Trooper Cederberg’s patrol car so the trooper began firing to stop the threat. After ramming Trooper Cederberg’s patrol car the suspect immediately started shooting at the trooper through his passenger window, striking Trooper Cederberg in the right hip knocking him to the ground. The gunshot rendered Trooper Cederberg’s legs useless and it is believed that this is the bullet that is still currently lodged against his spine. Although wounded in the exchange, the suspect got out of his car and moved around the back of his vehicle looking for the trooper. Unable to get up, Trooper Cederberg was able to reload and return fire as the gunfight continued.

The trooper attempted a second reload as suspect charged him firing indiscriminately, his last shot fired a few feet from Trooper Cederberg. The trooper continued to move and fight on the ground; he was struck a total of eleven more times. Five rounds were absorbed by his ballistic vest, but seven rounds struck his body.

The suspect disengaged from the gunfight when he heard the sound of approaching sirens and ran into a nearby wooded area to set up an ambush. The suspect’s ambush was unsuccessful, he died at the scene after a brief but intense exchange of gunfire with other officers.

Officers began treating Trooper Cederberg’s injuries immediately, he was taken to the hospital where he endured numerous surgeries and a lengthy stay in the ICU. His injuries include a collapsed lung, two broken arms, and a bullet lodged against his spine. The bullet near his spine is too dangerous to remove and could be a part of him for the rest of his life.

Trooper Cederberg is still recovering and requiring intense medical treatment. He continues his fight to get better and return to a normal life. Trooper Cederberg has kept an amazing and optimistic attitude. He’s told his friends and family, “I was just doing my job”, his actions helped stop a crazed murderer from injuring or killing more innocent people.

Cederberg was presented the award on July 12, 2017, at a meeting of the Superintendent’s executive staff in Salem, Oregon. Capt. John Bagnardi, Florida Highway Patrol, chairman of the Trooper of the Year committee, Lt. Colonel Dave Witt (ret) who began with the Oregon State Police in the 1950’s and Jason Bledsoe, Oregon State Police, AAST Oregon State Director all attended on behalf of AAST for the presentation of the award to Trooper Cederberg.

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From Our Members

"Your gift will further my education and allow me to follow in the footsteps of family members before me. My grandfather, Captain Joe F. Dixon (retired), served Florida Highway Patrol for 39 years and my dad, Major Jeffrey S. Dixon, has been on the patrol for the past 25 years. My family has been in FHP for several decades and someday I hope to join the ranks of the patrol and pursue a career in law enforcement.

I know AAST supports the education of troopers and their families through scholarship opportunities, and I am truly grateful to be a recipient. Man’s flight through life is supported by the power of his knowledge and your gift will certainly help me sustain my educational and professional goals. As a part of a trooper’s family, this opportunity means a great deal to me and my family. Thank you to everyone at AAST and to the troopers and retirees across the county who support the scholarship program.”